Open data is growing in attention on a global scale. There exist different definitions of the term open data. According to The Open Definition (n.d.), “Open data and content can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone for any purpose.” This definition refers to different types of data like data of cultural works and artefacts, scientific data and publications, financial data and governmental expenditure, statistics and census data, weather and climate data, as well as environmental data like data on pollution or the quality of water and air.

The Open Southeast Asia workshop serves as a catalyst for students, professionals (from governmental organizations as well as from NGOs – both are welcome) and academics — empowering them with general knowledge about open data, but also providing examples of how open data is practically applied in Southeast Asia and Germany. Moreover, we would like to raise the question how civil society can actually participate and benefit from it. We are aiming to bring people from different fields together to present their topics and share their ideas. Continue reading Data. Networks. Civil Society. Open Southeast Asia. Workshop in Bonn, Germany

Under the coordination of the Asian Pacific Chapter, ASIS&T offered a presentation at the iSchool Conference in Wuhan, China on March 24th. Entitled, “Professional Organizations in Career Development” members of ASIS&T presented to over 60 attendees. Representatives from committees, SIGs and Chapters discussed their role in the organization. Emil Levine, Chapter Advisor, Asian Pacific Chapter, introduced the speakers who were:

ASIS&T Chapters and SIGs are collaborating on an ASIS&T presentation at the iSchool conference in Wuhan, China (March 22-25th). The Asian Pacific, European, European Student and Taipei Chapters, along with SIG III will all discuss their programs and how their activities closely support the iSchool concept. In addition we will discuss the value of ASIS&T membership and it’s close correlation to professional success. A raffle will be held at the presentation with prizes being five free ASIS&T membership, and refreshments will be provided by the Asian Pacific Chapter. If you’re attending the conference in Wuhan, make sure to attend this exciting collaborative presentation. The presentation will be held on Friday March 24th from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm at the Southern Lake, fifth floor.

For the panel “Tomato tomahto: European perspectives on information science” at the AM2016 organized by our chapter member Julian Isabella gathered and condensed information on how EUChap members perceive the concept ‘information science’ from their particular point of view and specific background. The descriptions and definitions were categorized and major as well as outstanding viewpoints have been presented during the panel. With the help of 12 members Isabella could build a map of concepts related to ‘information science’ that also provided a ‘visual’ starting point for discussion among panelists and the audience.

ASIS&T President Lynn Silipigni Connaway participated at two events this past October in Italy, introducing ASIS&T to Italian professionals, students and scholars. This was the first time ASIS&T has presented in Italy — the relevance of these events is high, considering that in Italy, Information Science is misunderstood as Computer Science and that there is still confusion about Documentation, Library Science and Information Science.

On Friday, October 21 the DILL International Master Consortia organized the DILL Master’s Student Research Colloquium in Parma University at the Department of Information Engineering. Panel experts included Graham Walton (UK), Ursula Georgy (Germany), Elena Corradini (IT) and DILL professors and was chaired by Lynn Silipigni Connaway. Ms. Connaway introduced the audience to ASIS&T;s networking history, activities and trends; stressing the importance of research as a professional career.

The DILL master’s students had the opportunity to give a lightning talk style presentation on their research projects. There was also the opportunity to network with colleagues, ask questions to the Panel, and discuss their research projects in an open environment.

On Monday October 24, ASIS&T collaborated with DILL International Master Consortia, AIUCD (Italian Digital Humanities branch of the European EADH) and OCLC Research to organize a Workshop entitled “Digital Humanities, Digital Library and Information Science: what relationship?” in Florence at the Biblioteca Umanistica University of Florence. The aim of the Workshop was to engage digital humanities scholars and digital library professionals and researchers in a conversation about Information Science and the research done by the two communities. The objectives of the Workshop were to build a bridge between Digital Humanities and Digital Libraries communities, outlining areas of synergies and possible cooperation.

Ms. Connaway, as keynote of the Workshop, introduced ASIS&T to the 50 participants and described the initial results of research being conducted on digital technology’s impact on scholars and librarians.

Participating Speakers were:

Maurizio Lana University of Piemonte Orientale, creator of digilibLT project and chair of the ADHO Multilinguality Multiculturality Standing Committee.

Enrica Salvatori, University of Pisa, Assistant Professor of History, and Archaeological Informatics.

Maria Simi. Associate Professor. President of the study programmes in Digital Humanities; Member of the Digital Culture laboratory

Gianmaria Silvello is Assistant professor at Department of Information Engineering of the University of Padova

Paolo Sirito of Catholic University of the Sacred Heart , Milano. Library Department

Liliana Gregori of Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Library Department,

Gabriele Lunati Amministratore delegato IFNET-OCLC

Titia van der Werf is a Senior Program Officer in OCLC Research based in OCLC’s Leiden office. Titia coordinates OCLC Research

As a first result of the Workshop, an interesting conversation started about the gap between Digital Humanities scholars and Digital Libraries. The gap was evidenced on:

Weakness of network among staff, librarians, and faculty

Lack of shared vocabulary for describing research questions

Different teaching philosophies and strategies

After the Workshop, there is the intention to continue the conversation about the following key questions:

What kind of partnership (bridge) between staff, librarians, faculty is needed? What collaboration is desiderable?

What are the education and training needs of staff, librarians, faculty? Research has to be done

Members of the European Chapter organize several conferences, workshops and seminars during a year. Currently upcoming events are summarized in the flyer below. You find all upcoming events in our event calendar.